tunic

noun

tu·​nic ˈtü-nik 

ˈtyü-

1

a

: a simple slip-on garment made with or without sleeves and usually knee-length or longer, belted at the waist, and worn as an under or outer garment by men and women of ancient Greece and Rome

b

: surcoat

2

a

: a hip-length or longer blouse or jacket

b

: a short overskirt

3

: a long usually plain close-fitting jacket with high collar worn especially as part of a uniform

4

: tunicle

5

: an enclosing or covering membrane or tissue

the tunic of a seed

Examples of tunic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The company was eventually rebranded Kiton in 1968, taking inspiration from the name of the tunic worn in ancient Greece, the chiton. —Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 16 Jan. 2026

Around the same time, it was adopted by the national railway — replacing, ironically, a more European-style tunic. —Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 15 Jan. 2026

Danielle Goldberg scored on precision rather than volume, dressing winner Jessie Buckley in cool-girl Dior by Jonathan Anderson — slim trousers with a silk tunic — and then pivoting to oversized, punk-leaning Ferragamo for nominee Eva Victor. —Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 11 Jan. 2026

Create a monochromatic look by pairing the tunic with a pair of black straight-leg pants. —Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Old English tunice, from Latin tunica, of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew kuttōneth coat

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for tunic

• eunuch
• punic
• runic

Kids Definition

tunic

noun

tu·​nic ˈt(y)ü-nik 

1

: a usually belted knee-length garment worn by ancient Greeks and Romans

2

: a shirt or jacket reaching to or just below the hips

Medical Definition

tunic

noun

tu·​nic ˈt(y)ü-nik 

: an enclosing or covering membrane or tissue : tunica

the tunics of the eye